The Lightning pressured the Bears early, but strong defensive play and sophomore goaltender Jen Conophy (Glenmont, N.Y./Albany Ice Cats) gave Potsdam time to get its offense rolling. At the 13:53 mark, Silveira

slammed home a rebound off a shot from the point for to give the Bears a 1-0 advantage. Freshman forward Emma Smetaniuk (Frankford, Ontario/Whitby Wolves) and sophomore forward Katie Komsa (Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario/Sault Ste. Marie AA Midget) also assisted on the goal. The teams traded chances for the remainder of the period, but neither was able to find the net. Potsdam struck early in the second period as Cunningham and junior forward Caitlin Manahan (St. Albans, Vt./Elmira College) set up Lewis’ first goal at the 2:23 mark, extending the lead to 2-0. The middle of the period was

penalty-filled, but the power-play lines were unable to take advantage.

Finally with 17:10 remaining in the period, Durham West forward Victoria McDonald wristed a shot over the shoulder of Bears’ freshman goaltender Dawna Salvarinas (Mississauga, Ontario/Brampton Thunder), cutting the lead

to 2-1. Twenty-nine second later, Lewis answered with her second marker on an assist from freshman defenseman Emma Fillman (Ottawa, Ontario/Ottawa Senators), restoring the two-goal lead. Two Potsdam penalties early in the third period gave the Lightning a short five-on-three advantage, but they were unable to capitalize. Salvarinas stopped 13 shots in the third period to end any threat of a comeback. With less than five minutes to play, Lewis completed the hat trick with a power-play goal. Manahan and Cunningham recorded the assists as the Bears sealed the 4-1 victory.

Conophy stopped all 20 shots she faced in her 29:24 in goal, including 14 in the first period. Salvarinas finished with 17 saves in the remaining 30:36. Jackie Rochefort started for Durham West and made eight saves in

29:24, while Chantal Bicket stopped 12 shots in 30:36.

The Lightning outshot the Bears 38-24. Durham West was 0-9 on the power play and the Bears finished 1-7.

Potsdam Head Coach Jay Green was happy with the Bears’ play in their first action of the season.

“I was very pleased, considering that we’re still working on things. In some areas our execution wasn’t sharp, but overall with the foundation of what we’re trying to teach here, I was pretty happy,” said Green.

“Defensively, we showed patience and tried to control the play. The offense is going to have to work hard and muck it up. That’s what we did today and that’s the type of effort you have to have.”

Green was also pleased, but not surprised with Lewis’ performance.

“Annmarie played her usual style today. She’s consistent from start to finish, works hard, plays with grit and passion, and she gets results,” added Green.

The Bears look for more of the same when they open up the season for real on Nov. 13, when Buffalo State comes to Maxcy for a 7 p.m. face off.